Refrigerator Condensation Removal System

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator has a machine compartment located at its top end. The refrigerator includes a drain tube and a pump coupled to the drain tube and located at the bottom end of the refrigerator. The pump transfers the accumulated condensation from the drain tube to a pan located at the top end of the refrigerator. The heat and airflow generated by the machine compartment then evaporates the condensation from the pan.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a refrigerator. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a condensation removal system for a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It is common practice in modern day refrigerators to provide a self-defrosting feature in which, from time to time, the frost build up on the evaporator is melted and the condensation (i.e., water) is directed to the outside of the refrigerated compartments. Typically this condensation is collected in a pan or similar container in the machine compartment at the bottom of the refrigerator. The heat in the compartment from the compressor and other devices, and the air flowing through the compartment, will then evaporate the water.

Most stand-alone type of refrigerators have the machine compartment at the bottom of the refrigerator. However, other types of consumer and commercial refrigerators, such as built-in types of refrigerators, have a machine compartment located at the top of the refrigerator. Therefore, extra components must be used to evaporate the water that builds up at the bottom of the refrigerator.

For example, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom end of a prior art refrigerator 50 that has its machine compartment located at its top end. Refrigerator 50 includes a drain pan 52, and a drain pan frame 54 for holding drain pan 52. As with other prior art refrigerators, condensation collects through a drain tube (not shown) into pan 52. However, because the machine compartment of refrigerator 50 is located at its top end, additional components must be used to evaporate the accumulated water. The additional components include a condensate tube 56, which extends into drain pan 52 and provides heat, and a fan 55 which pushes air across drain pan 52. Sometimes a secondary electrical heater is also required to evaporate the condensation.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need for an improved condensation removal system that does not require as many additional components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a refrigerator that has a machine compartment located at its top end. The refrigerator includes a drain tube and a pump coupled to the drain tube and located at the bottom end of the refrigerator. The pump transfers the accumulated condensation from the drain tube to a pan located at the top end of the refrigerator. The heat and airflow generated by the machine compartment then evaporates the condensation from the pan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom end of a prior art refrigerator that has its machine compartment located at its top end.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a refrigerator that implements one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom end of a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top end of a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pan which encapsulates and covers a pump and valves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a condensation removal system for a refrigerator that has a top mounted machine compartment. Condensation is pumped from the bottom to the top of the refrigerator, where the existing machine compartment components can be used for evaporation.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a refrigerator 10 that implements one embodiment of the present invention. Refrigerator 10 includes a freezer section door 12 and a refrigerator section door 14, shown in closed positions. Freezer door 12 includes a through the door ice and water dispenser 18. Dispenser 18 includes levers 17 and 16 that can be pressed via an object such as a drinking glass. Pressing on lever 17 initiates delivery of ice (cubed or crushed) to the drinking glass. Pressing on lever 16 initiates delivery of water to the drinking glass. Refrigerator 10 is a built-in type of refrigerator, and has a machine compartment located on its top end.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom end of refrigerator 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Refrigerator 10 includes a pump 22 and an attached motor 20. In one embodiment, pump 22 is a peristaltic pump that does not require priming. Motor 20 is coupled in parallel to the defrost heater (not shown) of refrigerator 10, so that motor 20 is activated electrically at the same time as the defrost heater. In another embodiment, the pump is activated by a control source independent of the defrost heater.

Refrigerator 10 further includes an input tube 26 and an output tube 27 coupled to pump 22. Input tube 26 is coupled to the drain tube of refrigerator 10, and receives all condensation drained from refrigerator 10. Condensation received on input tube 26 is pumped by pump 22 to output tube 27, which runs through a channel 23 along the back of refrigerator 10 to the top end of refrigerator 10.

Refrigerator 10 optionally includes a condensate tube 25 that provides heat to eliminate moisture gathered at the bottom of refrigerator 10. Additional components of refrigerator 10 include water valves 28 and 29 for providing water to dispenser 18, and wheels 30 for aiding in moving refrigerator 10.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top end of refrigerator 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As disclosed above, the machine compartment of refrigerator 10 is located at this top end. The machine compartment includes a compressor 40, a condenser 42 and a condenser fan 41. Compressor 40, condenser 42 and condenser fan 41 are standard components on prior art refrigerators having a top mounted machine compartment.

Refrigerator 10 further includes a pan 45 coupled to output tube 27 that is received from the bottom end of refrigerator 10. Condensation from output tube 27 accumulates in pan 45. The heat from compressor 40, condenser 42, and the warm air blown from compressor fan 41 causes the condensation in pan 45 to evaporate.

Pan 45, because of the additional clearance on the top end of refrigerator 10, can be much larger than prior art pan 52. In one embodiment, pan 45 has double the capacity of pan 52. Further, the condensation system of FIG. 4 is more efficient than the prior art condensation systems because pump 22 only operates during a defrost cycle. In contrast, in the prior art system fan 55 is continuously running.

In one embodiment, output tube 27 is connected to an additional water heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the condenser 42 before being inserted into pan 45. In this embodiment, the water in tube 27 circulates through condenser 42 to help cool condenser 42 and therefore increase the efficiency of refrigerator 10.

In one embodiment, a pan is coupled to the bottom of refrigerator 10. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pan 60 which encapsulates and covers pump 20 and valves 28 and 29. Pan 60 collects water condensation and water that may leak from valves 28 and 29 and the associated tubing and valves. Pan 60 includes two cavities 70 and 72, and further includes water valve inlets and outlets 62, water spillover outlet 64 and condensate pump inlet 68 and outlet 69. Output tube 27 (not shown) is coupled to condensate pump outlet 69 and carries water to the top of refrigerator 10 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Pan 60 further includes a float switch 66 which activates pump 20 when the water level in pan 60 exceeds a predetermined amount. Therefore, in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 where pump 20 only operates during a defrost cycle, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 pump 20 operates when triggered by float switch 66.

As disclosed, embodiments of the present invention utilize a pump to transport condensation to the top of the refrigerator, where it is evaporated by existing machine compartment components.

Several embodiments of the present invention are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. 

1. A refrigerator having a top end and a bottom end, said refrigerator comprising: a machine compartment located at the top end; a drain tube; a pump coupled to the drain tube and located at the bottom end; an output tube coupled to said pump and extending to the top end; and a first pan located at the top end and coupled to said output tube.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein said machine compartment comprises: a compressor; a condenser; and a condenser fan.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising an input tube coupled to said pump and said drain tube.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a condensate tube located at the bottom end.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a defrost heater and a motor coupled to said pump, wherein said pump is activated when said defrost heater is on, and said pump is deactivated when said defrost heater is off.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a second pan coupled to said pump and a float switch, wherein said pump is activated by said float switch.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein said output tube is coupled to said condenser.
 9. A method of removing condensation generated by a refrigerator having a top end and a bottom end comprising: receiving the condensation from the bottom end of the refrigerator; pumping the condensation to a pan on the top end of the refrigerator; and evaporating the condensation from the pan using, at least in part, heat generated by a machine compartment of the refrigerator.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: defrosting the refrigerator; wherein said pumping the condensation is performed at the same time as defrosting the refrigerator.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said pumping the condensation is triggered by a float pump.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein said machine compartment is located at the top end of the refrigerator and comprises a compressor, a condenser and a condenser fan.
 14. A refrigerator comprising: a pump adapted to receive accumulated condensation; an output tube coupled to said pump and extending to a top end of the refrigerator; and a first pan coupled to said output tube.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising a machine compartment located at the top end, wherein the machine compartment is adapted to generate heat to evaporate the accumulated condensation in said first pan.
 16. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising: a drain tube; and an input tube coupled to said pump and said drain tube.
 18. The refrigerator of claim 17, further comprising a condensate tube located at a bottom end of the refrigerator.
 19. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising a defrost heater and a motor coupled to said pump, wherein said pump is activated when said defrost heater is on, and said pump is deactivated when said defrost heater is off.
 20. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising a second pan coupled to said pump and a float switch, wherein said pump is activated by said float switch.
 21. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein said machine compartment comprises a condenser and said output tube is coupled to said condenser.
 22. The refrigerator of claim 20, wherein said second pan is coupled to a bottom end of the refrigerator. 